Do not accept any thoughts of pride suggested by Satan, but constantly criticize yourself, for that evil rascal has defiled us with disgraceful passions, so how can we be proud? We need weeping and a river of tears to wash away our filth and sores.
— Geronda Ephraim of Arizona
It is necessary to repent for not sufficiently loving others and for not being sensitive enough to the misfortunes of others.
— Saint Seraphim of Vyritsa
“One who has pride within himself is spiritually ill. He may appear outwardly strong, learned, or virtuous, but inwardly he is tormented, because grace does not dwell in him. God does not reveal Himself to the proud man, because pride is darkness. The proud man wants to understand everything with his mind, but the things of God are known through humility and purity of heart.
When a person acquires humility, then divine illumination comes naturally. He no longer struggles to prove himself right, to conquer others in arguments, or to force his opinions onto people. He has peace. The humble man even sees his own faults as greater than those of others, and because of this, he receives great mercy from God.
Today people are filled with anxiety because they have distanced themselves from the simple spiritual life. They rely only on logic, on worldly knowledge, on their ego. But peace is not found there. Peace comes when a person cuts off his own will, repents sincerely, prays with pain of heart, and entrusts himself to God.
We must struggle with good spiritual philotimo. Christ does not ask from us impossible things. He asks for humility, repentance, love, patience, and trust in Him. Even a small humble effort attracts divine Grace. But the ego blocks Grace, just as a wire covered in rust cannot conduct electricity.
Do not seek lofty spiritual states. Seek repentance. Repentance brings humility, humility brings Grace, and Grace brings God’s peace into the soul. Then a person becomes spiritually healthy and quietly radiates Christ to others without even speaking much.”
— Saint Paisios of Mount Athos
“A man obtains the fear of God if he has the remembrance of his unavoidable death & of the eternal torments that await sinners; If he tests himself every evening as to how he has spent the day, & every morning as to how he has spent the night, & if he is not sharp in his relations with others.”- St Dorotheos